Magnetic storage device



Jan. 4, 1966 G. DIRKS 3,223,007

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MAGNETIC STORAGE DEvIcE Original Filed March 30, 1955 12 Sheets-Sheet 8NVENTOI? BY MMs .W4/l@ ATTORNEY Jan. 4, 1966 G. nmKs 3,228,007

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MAGNETIC STORAGE DEVICE Original Filed March 50, 1955 l2 Sheets-Sheet 10INVENTOI? BY @WM x .M2M

ATTORNEY Jan. 4, 1966 G. D|RKs 3,228,007

MAGNETIC STORAGE DEVICE Original Filed March 30. 1955 12 Sheets-Sheet l1799 u W5/vm? BY 1M( len/@ ATT/P/VEY Jan. 4, 1966 G. DIRKs 3,228,007

MAGNETIC STORAGE DEVICE Original Filed March 30, 1955 12 Sheets-Sheet lzWJIEC* .118 1L; if* T HVVEUVTIU? 5MM BY W M ATTORNEY United StatesPatent Oce 3,228,007 Patented Jan. 4, 1966 3,228,007 MAGNETIC STORAGEDEVICE Gerhard Dirks, 12120 Edgecliff Place, Los Altos Hills, Calif.

Continuation of application Ser. No. 498,047, Mar. 30, 1955. Thisapplication Apr. 26, 1961, Ser. No. 107,283 Claims priority, applicationGreat Britain, Dec. 23, 1954,

37,214/54; Germany, Oct. 1, 1948, P 11,464 27 Claims. (Cl. S40-172.5)

This application is a continuation application of patent applicationSerial No. 498,047, now abandoned, filed March 30, 1955, whichlast-mentioned application is a continuation-in-part of patentapplication Serial No. 101,032, tiled June 24, 1949, and now abandoned.

The invention relates to magnetic storage devices with which therecording, sensing and erasing of signals is effected by signal heads.

A magnetic storage device makes use of a magnetizable record means as asignal carrier, which has or is provided with a magnetizable recordmaterial which will record sensable signals by changes of the magneticstate of the said record material.

The present invention provides a selective magnetic storage meanscomprising a rotation-symmetrical magnetizable signal carrier and signalsensing and/or recording means therefor, with relative cyclic movementbetween said signal carrier and said means, together with means wherebysignals may be transferred selectively to or from the said signalcarrier by said means.

The rotation-symmetrical magnetizable signal carrier may be themagnetizable layer or surface of a drum or of a disc or the like. Therecording means will include at least one signal head but usually therewill be a plurality of signal heads and these will be displacedrelatively to each other, for instance axially or circumferentially inthe case of a drum, and radially or circumferentially in the case of adisc. In both cases the circumferential distance will be a wholemultiple of the extent of displacement between signals heads. A meansmay be provided whereby signals or groups of signals may be recordedand/or sensed on a basis of locality or on a basis of time.

Sensing means for synchronizing signals may also be provided. and suchsynchronizing signals may be recorded as remanent or permanent signalson a signal carrier. The synchronizing signals may be magnetizablyrecorded, or they may be recorded optically or photographically.Additional selecting means may be provided including distributing meansoperating under the control of such synchronizing signals, and suchdistributing means may be an electrically actuating or electronicallyactuating distributing means.

The selecting means for selective transfer of signals between the signalcarrier and the sensing or recording means may be adapted for operationin dependence on a selection program of any kind, including thoseadapted for handling addresses, information, control and/or selectionsignals and auxiliary or supplementary signals. By such means, it ispossible, as explained more fully hereinafter, to consider themagnetizable surface as representing so many punched cards, to select ina manner equivalent to the sorting of punched cards.

One of the special advantages of the selective storage means is thepossibility of a combination with computing, printing and/or indicatingdevices and the like. These selective storages may either containchangeable impulses, which can be sensed, erased and renewed atrecording` or may be xed impulse sequences, containing charts, tables,reference information and the like. The selective storages allow thesensing of any adjusted position of the storage and the transfer ofimpulses between that position and a computing, printing and/orindicating device and the like, in a fraction of a second.

In order that the invention may be readily carried into effect, it willnow be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rotatable magnetic storage drum withone arrangement of sensing means;

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a magnetic storage drum withmovable magnetic heads;

FIG. 3 is a view in axial direction of one half 0f a magnetic storagedisc, formed as a magnetizable signal carrier, the markings shown beingpurely for the purpose of explanation;

FIG. 4a is a perspective view of an embodiment of a magnetic signalhead, for example a sensing head on a magnetizable carrier;

FIG. 4b is a perspective view of an embodiment of a set of headsconsisting of two magnetic heads for the forwarding of a signal withchange of digit value by one;

FIG. 4c is a perspective View of an embodiment of a set of signal headsconsisting of ll magnetic heads for transfer of computing signals independence on the operation of numerical value switches or the like;

FIG. 4d is a perspective view illustrating a set of signal heads of theembodiment of FIG. 4c in association with a disc of the embodiment ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 4e is similar to FIG. 4d showing another embodiment of a set ofheads consisting of ll magnetic heads, which in this case embrace thedisc at its edge;

FIG. 5a, b are schematic diagrams showing displaced signal heads underthe Control of a selective program input means;

FIG. 6a is a schematic diagram of a series of displaced signal heads,electronically controlled from a selective program input means;

FIG. 6b is an embodiment of a magnetically operated sector or switch;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the use of magnetic gates for aselective control of signal heads. indicating eg. denomination-valuesand digit values represented in selective tables;

FIG. 8 is a schematic circuit diagram showing the use of a magnetic drumwith selective distributing means controlled electrically by signals ina synchronizing track and the possibility of transfer or retransfer in asimilar arrangement to magnetic tapes:

FIG. 9 is a schematic circuit diagram similar to FIG. 8 with a number ofsignal heads operating in parallel and wherein the signals may betransferred to or from the tape in a selective `manner with or withoutrearrangement. and with the simultaneous transfer of synchronizing andinformation signals;

FIG. 10a is a schematic circuit diagram of an embodiment of anarrangement for the switching control of a set of relay tubes by astepwisely movable tape or other record means having one synchronizationand one information track;

FIG. 1Gb is a diagram of an embodiment of stepwisely operable cyclicstorage means with magnetizable layer for selective or repeated sensingof signals transferred from the tape of FIG. 10a to the saidmagnetizable record means;

FIG. 10c is a view in the axial direction of a magneticallv operatingdistributor;

FIG. 10d is a view of the rotor of the distributor of FIG. 10c;

FIG. 10c is a section on the line A-B of the distributor of FIG. 10c.

FIG. 10f is a circuit diagram of an embodiment of an arrangement for thecontrol of gas discharge tubes by the distributor of FIG. 10c;

FIG. 11n is a schematic circuit diagram of an embodiment of anarrangement for selective comparing means for addresses for binarynumbers of several denominations;

FIG. l`lb is a development of a cylindrical part of the embodiment ofFIG. 11a with means for a binary address in several denominations;

FIG. llc is a perspective view of an embodiment of a magnetic drumstorage with selective sensing and recording means under the control ofsignals forming a multidenomination address.

In FIG. 1, the rotation-symmetrical signal carrier is shown as rotatabledrum 1, the circumferential surface of which is or is provided with amagnetizable layer adapted for the storage of signals by a change of themagnetizable state of the material of such layer. There is shown also aplurality of signal head casings 21m arranged side-by-side and eachcontaining one or more signal heads or systems of signal heads.

In FIG. 2, the rotation-symmetrical signal carrier is likewise arotatable drum 1, and a single signal head casing 2 is shown which maymove axially of the drum.

In both cases, by reason of the relative rotation between the drum andthe signal heads, these heads trace out on the drum side-by-side signaltracks and in each rotation, all the signals in a track will pass thesignal heads which then lie opposite the track.

In order that the selective storage means shall have a rapid access,that is, in order for any part of the storage surface to be brought to asignal head in the least possible time for the sensing and/or recordingor erasing of signals, it is necessary to select an appropriate part ofa particular track. This involves a selection in a direction axially oftbe drum and a selection circumferentially of the drum, either of whichselections may be carried out in different ways. If, for instance, aplurality of signal heads or signal head systems is disposed around thedrum, the degree of angular displacement of the drum necessary to selecta particular signal is reduced, and the access time is correspondinglyshortened.

For the selection of a track from the several side-byside tracks, theswitching circuits of a plurality of sideby-side signal heads arrangedaxially of the drum may be made effective selectively, This arrangementis illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. l, where the signal head casingsare indicated at 2.1-n and the connections to the switching circuits areindicated at 31p. Alternatively, one or more signal heads may be movedaxially of the drum to effect track selection. This arrangement isillustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. l in more detail, the drum 1 is mounted for rotationabout the axis 4 by means not shown, and may have a speed of. forexample, up to 6,00() r.p.m. With a drum of a diameter of for example, 7to l inches, each circumferential signal track `may contain between1,000 and 5,000 signals, and with a drum of a length from 6 to 12 inchesthere may be for example 100 signal tracks.

In order to avoid wear on the drum surface and on the signal heads atsuch speeds, and in order to make possible the recording and/or sensingof the required number of signals in a track, the signal heads arespaced from the drum surface, the extent of such spacing being dependenton the one hand on eliminating friction and on the other hand allowingthe required subdivision of the circumferential track into the requirednumber of areas for recording the required number of signals.

In the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 2, the drum 1 is carried on ashaft 4 which is mounted in brackets 5 and 6, and is adapted to bedriven by a motor 7 through gear and clutch means indicated at 8 and 9,whereby the rotation of the drum may be continuous or intermittent, asdesired. In the brackets and 6 there are also mounted another shaft 10and a guide rod l1, and these (shaft 10 and rod 1l) carry the casing 2containing the signal head or heads.

At the one end of shaft 10 is a gear 12 which is adapted to be rotatedby gear and clutch means 13 for continuous or intermittent operation,and the gear 12 is connected with means such as cam, or screw and nutmechanism whereby its rotation effects a corresponding lateral movementof the casing 2, this movement being continuous or intermittentselectively as determined by an operation of the clutch. Clutch and gear9 and 13 are both driven by the motor 7.

By a selective operation of the drives to the drum and the member 8, adirect acoess to any part of the drum surface by the signal heads may berealized in a short time, to select any of the tracks. If side-by-sidesignal heads are shifted laterally, a group of tracks may be selected bythe selective switching on of signal heads and a further selection maybe achieved by a lateral shifting. When the tracks are arrangedlongitudinally to the drum, the signal heads may have cyclic shiftingmovement and the drum may have an intermittent rotation, whereby any ofsuch track, may be selected for sensing by one or a group of signalheads. I

In some cases the drum may have a cyclic rotation and the casing 2 anintermittent movement, while in other cases the situation may bereversed.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, where the signall carrier is a disc 13, theside-by-side tracks are concentric rings and the signal heads have aradial displacement or movement instead of an axial displacement ormovement. The same selective combinations of continuous and intermittentmovements may be carried out as described in connection with the drum inFIGS. l and 2.

The disc 13 is mounted on the shaft 14 for rotation therewith and itsmagnetizable surface may be regarded as (imaginatively) divided into thesaid concentric tracks 15an and also into sectors between radial lines,for instance the sectors 16X-13. Within each sector the tracks 158i-nare regarded as divided into subsections e.g. 1704, and also as dividedinto storage locations 18o-39. Each of such storage locations is alocality for the recording, sensing and/or erasing of signals, forexample digit value signals. Such signals have a definite localrelationship to precise points on the shaft or disc, for instance, aprecise relationship with the angular position of the keyway 19, or theymay have a precise relationship with signals recorded as synchronizingsignals in one or more tracks, for instance the tracks 20, 21, suchsynchronizing signals being either again in definite local relationshipto precise points on the shaft or disc, or themselves forming the timebase for a time-base signal generator, operating in synchronism with therelative movement between them and sensing means provided for thesensing of such signals.

Such synchronizing signals are provided within track 21 once only withineach sector namely at the beginning of the sector (in thearrow-direction of rotation 23) and are indicated as strokes 221, 222,223, 2212, etc. In track 20, synchronizing signals 23u-9 are providedfor the controlled selective sensing, recording and/or erasing ofsignals or groups of signals within the respective fields 18uva in thedifferent tracks 15a-n of each of the sectors 161-13.

Such synchronizing signals may also be supplied to a comparison devicecomparing them with other synchronizing signals delivered from anothersignal generator and the result of the comparison may be made to controlthe speed of the driving means for the record means.

The recording, sensing and erasing of the magnetic signais on and fromthe disc can be carried out in any manner known from magnetic tape soundtechnology and the like. Examples of signal heads and their manner ofuse are illustrated in FIGS. ta-4e.

Each of the concentric tracks such as 151'-n on the dise 13 may be usedfor the storage of one multi-denominational decimal number. One digit ofsuch a number is stored in each of the sectors 16. Each digit isrepresented by a signal recorded in one of the storage locations of asector. For example, a signal 300 is recorded in track 15a in thestorage location 1811 of sector 161. This signal represents the decimaleight because it is recorded in storage location 180, that is, the valuewhich a recorded signal represents corresponds to the sufiix number ofthe storage location in which it is recorded. Similarly, signal 301 instorage location 182 of sector 162 represents the decimal digit two. Theleast significant digit of a number is recorded in sector 161, the nextdigit in sector 162, and so on, the most significant digit of a twelvedigit number being recorded in sector 1612. Sector 1613 is not used fordigit recording and the passage of this sector past the various magneticheads which may be associated with the disc provides a time in which thesection of particular heads, and similar switching operations, may beperformed.

Referring again to FIG. l, there is shown a plurality of signal headswhich may be made effective selectively and which trace circumferentialtracks on a drum. In FIGS. 5a and 5b the track 24 at the right hand siderepresents a part of one of such tracks.

FIGS. 5a and 5b show that a plurality of signal heads 320- is provideddisplaced relatively to each othei lengthwise of the track, namely inpositions circumferentially of the drum. The separation between adjacentheads is equal to the separation between adjacent storage locations.These signal heads are selectively switchable in dependence on a controlmechanism including a rotatable sector switch having contacts 391-39nand a rotating contact arm 42 mounted on a pivot 40. The sector switchoperates in synchronisrn with the rotation of the drum whereby at anygiven time instant in a cycle of rotation any one of the signal heads320-11 may be made effective selectively under the control of aselective input device.

In FIGS. a and 5b the sector switch is shown as having its contacts391-"1 connected to the Vertical rows of electrical contacts a fullkeyboard in which the horizontal rows 36"-9 of electrical contacts areconnected to one end of the respective signal head windings, the otherends of the windings being connected in parallel to an amplifier circuit41, to which also the contact arm 42 is connected. The amplifier circuit41 amplilies signals sensed by sensing head 31 from a signal track 24awhich is on the same signal carrier as the track 24. The arrangementillustrated in FIGS. 5a and 5b is described in detail in my copendingpatent application Serial No. 432,093, filed May 25, 1954.

Briefly, when a recorded signal, such as 303, passes the gap of the head310 a voltage impulse is induced in the head winding. This voltageimpulse is passed by switch 43 to the input of the amplifier 41. Thisproduces a corresponding output from the amplifier which passes via the7 switch arm 42, contact 391 (FIG. 5a), and a closed contact of thekeyboard, represented by the marked junction, to the winding of head328. Hence the head 320 is energized to record a signal in a storagelocation of the track 24. The track 24 is divided into sectors in amanner similar to that of the tracks on the disc 13. The track 24a has asignal such as 303 recorded at the beginning of each sector. Thepositioning of the heads 32 is such that the signal recorded by the head320 will be in the eighth storage location. It will be apparent thatwith the switch arm 42 in the position shown in FIG. 5b, a signal willbe recorded by the head 322 in the second storage location. The movementof the switch arm is synchronized with the movement of the storage drum,so that a different sector of the drum is beneath the heads 32 each timethe switch arm 42 makes contact with a different one of the contacts 39.

Instead of an electromechanical sector switch. a magnetically operateddistributing means may be used as shown for example at 531- and 541-0 inFIG. 6a. Further, instead of a full keyboard, electric or electronicrelays in varying forms may replace th-e keyboard control contacts asdescribed in more detail in my copending patent application Serial No.432,093 filed May th, 1954, and described in some forms below.

-lll

Such electronic relays are illustrated in FIG. 6u as gas discharge tubes430-9, each controlling the respective pentodes 440-9, the anodes ofwhich are connected to the several signal heads 320-9.

The signals from the head 310 are applied to the other controlling gridsof the pentodes 44 in common. Hence, an individual pentode produces anoutput signal only when the associated gas tube is conducting and thehead 310 generates a signal.

In FIG. 6b there is shown the construction of the magnetically operatedsector switch comprising rotatable members 47, 48 mounted on the shaft 4which carries the storage drum and having projections 49, 50respectively. One pair 530 and 54S of the primary and secondary coils53, 54, which cooperate with the projection 49 is shown. Another pair ofprimary and secondary coils 55, 56 is shown cooperating with theprojection 50. There are also shown coils 531 and 541 cooperating withthe projection 49. It will be appreciated that the other coils 53 and 54are similarly mounted in circular fashion about the rotatable member 47.The coils 53 are connected in series across a power source (FIG. 6a) sothat a current flows continuously. When the projection 49 passes nearthe core on which a pair of coils 53 and 54 is wound a large change ofmagnetic ux occurs and a voltage impulse is induced in the secondarycoil S4.

FIG. 7 shows an arrangement of two entry magnetic gates 1400-9 to 1490-9controlling signal transfer between two tracks of the storage drum. Oneentry (vertically in the drawing) eflects the selection of one column ofmagnetic cores under the control of the tubes 1350-9 and the other entry(horizontally in the drawing) effects selection of one row of magneticcores under the control of the tubes 1360-9, by means of the windings onthe magnetic cores. Only that gate is sufficiently energized to beeffective which receives a double-energization In the case shown thisallows a selection of any of one of cores, by only two ten-fold entrymeans. The manner in which this arrangement may be used to effect theaddition of two decimal digits is described in detail in my copendingapplication Serial No. 432,093.

Selected timed signals are fed by the core arrangement to electronictubes 1370-9 or 1380-9 selectively. to record on a drum track byoperating the recording signal heads and 151 at selected times accordingto the control exercised by the gates. FIG. 7 shows one entry beingeffected by signal heads 311 and 312 which sense the track 24a anddeliver signals to amplifier 41 to infiuence via the magneticdistributing means 139a/b0-9 the control grids of said electronic tubes1350-9. The magnetic distributor 139 is similar in construction to thearrangement shown in FIG. 6b. The other entry is controlled by thekeyboard, thc grids ofthe valves 1360-9 being connected to the cathodcsof the valves 430-9 of FIGURE 6a.

FIG. 8 shows one arrangement of a cooperation between a storage drum andan output means. The drum has an area 88 for information signals and atrack 88a for synchronizing signals which latter signals control theelectronic distributor 90. The electronic distributor 90 influences thegrids of the gas discharge tubes 911-9111 successively in coordinationwith the sensing of the synchronizing signals. whereby informationsignals are delivered to the output means only at time instantsdetermined by their relationship with the synchorizing signals. Thesynchronizing signals may instead of being signals sensed on amagnetizable layer, be signals from some other signal generatorcoordinated to the rotation of. the drum. such as, for example, signalsfrom inductive elements such as shown in FIG. 6b operating as a pulsegenerator.

By means of the synchronized transmission of signals controlling thetubes 911-9111, and by the use of interchangeable connecting meansbetween such tubes and magnets or other electrically controllable means,any desired mechanical or other effect may be obtained at any desiredplace at any time in dependence on the stored information signals on thedrum. In the case shown, magnet coils are energized selectively independence on such stored information signals, such coils being part ofa parallel-operating printing mechanism.

The circuit shown in FIG. 8 is described more fully in my copendingPatent Application Serial No. 498,041 filed March 30, 1955, now PatentNo. 2,972,016.

Referring now to FIG. 9 selective signal transfer from a record means inthe form of a drum to a magnetic tape, or the reverse, is shown. Bothrecord means shown have corresponding synchronizing tracks 92, 93 inwhich signals transferred from the one and the other have the same timedrelationship to information signals also transferred selectively fromthe one record means to the other. This relationship betweensynchronizing signals and information signals is preferably obtainedwhen both signals are transferred at the same time.

FIG. 9 shows a recording device in which the signals are stored on amagnetizable drum 100. The recording heads 9411'e connected with the keyoperated switches 950Ae of the keyboard, correspond to the recordingheads 32 of FIG, 5 in their function. The coils 70a and 70b anddischarge tube 79 in connection with the magnetic yoke 76 are shown inmore detail to FIGS. 10a| b, c and d. The transfer of signals and ofcontrol frequencies from the drum 100 to the tape 101 is effectedselectively under any desired control, for instance in dependence on aselected operation of switches 95Die for a selection of tracks andoperation of the inductive distributor 70a, 70h and 76, for selection oflocalities within the selected tracks.

The signals are sensed by sensing heads 1021141-e and transferred viasignal heads 36 and pentodes 103 of which only one is shown to the tape101, whereas the control frequency is sensed by signal head 104 andtransferred via pentode 105 and signal head 106 to the synchronizationtrack of the said tape.

The inductive distributor according to FIGS. a-d comprises in stator 77a circle Of ten primary coils a-9 and ten secondary coils 70b1"9, thecores 71a and 71h of which are on their one side connected with eachother in pairs by the yokes 72. FIG. 10c shows the sideview and FIG. 10ethe section on A-B of FIG. 10e of the stator. The rotor 73 is fixed onshaft 74 by a key 75 in a defined position relative to the magnetizeabledrum. It is of starlike form with teeth 76"-8 and in the example hasnine teeth equally spaced so that between the 9 parts of the rotor andbetween the ten parts of the stator there is vermierlike displacement byrotor movement in the direction of the arrow 34, which is used for thepurpose of the digit value distribution for the digit value signals 0-9in the different sectors of the record means.

The rotor 73 is fixed by its key 75 on shaft 74 in such a way that inthat timing instant. in which, e.g. according to FIG. 5a, the digitvalue field 0 is below the gap of the sensing head 310 in track 24u, theteeth 7611 of the starlike rotor 73 is exactly opposite the cores 71aand 711) of the pair of coils 70:1 and 70h connected magnetically by thestationary yoke 72. The reluctance of the magnetic circuit is veryreduced at that instant, so that the primary coil 70a is effectivelymagnetically coupled to the secondary coil 70h as in a transformer. Adigit value signal 0 recorded on track 24a will be sensed at thatinstant. For all other pairs of coils there is poor magnetic couplingbecause they have a high reluctance magnetic circuit. A sensed signal 0therefore, supplied to all the primary coils 70a-9 will generate anappreciable signal only in the effectively coupled secondary coil 70h".

If in the next instant the storage location corresponding to 1 is belowthe .sensing head 310, the magnetic coupling of the coils 70a1 and 70b1is effected by the tooth 761, In the timing instant 2 the coils 70a2 and70!)2 are magnetically coupled via the tooth 762 etc., until after 9 theinductive distributor begins with 0.

For a better understanding, in FIG. 10c there is shown a Vernierdivision, in which in one rotation of the rotor each coil will beeffective ten times, giving a total of storage locations in ten sectors.lt is evident that when 13 sectors are used, each subdivided into 40digit value storage locations, suitable modifications will be made tothe rotor and stator. By reason of using the Vernier divisions largercoil spacing can be allowed.

As FIG. lOf shows, the primary coils 70(10-9 are connected in series andvia transformer 78 to a discharge circuit (not shown) controlled bysensing head 310 (compare FIG. 5u). At that instant in which a digitvalue signal is snsed by the sensing head 3111 in track 34a an impulseis generated by the amplifier circuit-which is fed to the primary coils70u04. A movable magnetic tooth 76 serves to effectively one of thesecondary coils 70b09 which the corresponding primary coil so thatwithin the secondary coil a voltage surge is induced, which correspondsto the respective digit value signal 0 0. Such E1 voltage surge is usedfor the ignition of one or another of the relay-tubes connected to eachsecondary' coil, for instance gas discharge tubes 790-9, by means ofwhich output or storage means can be operated in accordance with thetiming of digit value signals.

FIG. 10a shows by means of a schematic diagram the control of electronicrelay tubes in dependence on information signals contained in one trackof a record means, for example a magnetizable tape. synchronizingsignals are contained in another track of the tape within thesynchronizing track 174.

In the arrangement of FIG, 10a is shown a magnetizablc tape having oneinformation track 175 sensed or recorded by signal head 177 and amagnetizable synchronizing track 174 in which the signals are sensed orrecorded by means of signal head 176. The arrangement is shown operativefor sensing. The synchronizing track 174 contains magnetized areas thebegining of which may be indicated by a start signal 178 and the endingof such an area by a. stop signal (not shown), which would be situatedin the right hand portion of the tape shown in FIG. 10a.

The arrangement of FIG. 10a is to show an example of the recording ofsignals on a tape as being comparable in effect to a punched card. Eacharea of the tape beginning at start signal 178 on the left side andending at the not shown stop signal on the right side is to contain allthe signals of a punched card e.g. an eighty column punched card. Thevalues are so recorded that the sensing of all the columns of the digitvalue 9 takes place first and is followed by the sensing of all thecolumns of digit value 8, then follows digit value 7 and so on,comparable to the passage of the index point rows of a punched cardbelow sensing brushes. To demonstrate the relation between informationsignals and synchronizing signals there is shown in FIG. 10a within thearea 1791* a group of synchronizing signals one for each column andwherein the whole group of columns 1791n corresponds to the line 9 of apunched card. Instead of holes, which would be used on punched cards,information signals 180 in the information track of the tape arecoordinated t0 those of the synchronizing signals 1791-n whichcorrespond to the column in which a hole would be punched in a punchedcard. In FIG. 10u such information signals 180 are contained in track175 in alignment with signals 1792, 1799, 17911, etc. of track 174indication that a 9 is recorded within the columns 2, 9, 11 and so on.

After a space 173, in which no information signals will be recorded andwhich corresponds to the moving on of a punched card from one horizontalrow to the following horizontal row, the synchronizing signal area207141'1 is provided to indicate the columnar significance ofinformation signals within track 175 representing the digit value 8. lnthis case, signals for the digit value 8 are 9 shown in columns 4, 6 andso on. lt is a special feature of the present invention that by the useof synchronizing signals coordinated to indicate the timed or localposition of information signals for columns on digit values, a stepwisetransport of such tape may be effected without losing the advantage ofusing synchronizing signals. Another advantage is the easy duplicatingpossibility for control, duplicating, sorting, selecting tasks and soon, since only two tracks have to be sensed and transferred.

The operation of the sensing arrangement is shown in FIG. 10a withelectronic distributing means being controlled by the signals in thesynchronizing track 174. The sensing head for synchronizing signals isconnected to the control grid of pentode 190 which will deliver currentpulses when operated by signals sensed from the synchronizing track. Thecapacitor 191 is therefore charged in steps by the pulses. The voltageacross the capacitor is applied to a deflecting plate 185 of the cathoderay tube to deiiect the electron beam from electrodes 1871 to 187n onscreen 186 step by step. There may be 80 electrodes 187, or there may be10 electrodes used repeatedly eight times for 80 columns. rfhe dischargetube 192 is to discharge the capacitor 191 after each cycle ofdeflection.

In this case gas discharge tubes 1891 to 189, e.g. 80 gas dischargetubes are to be controlled by the information signals within track 175.At the passing of the information signals below sensing head 177 suchsignals are amplified in pentode 182 to deliver signals to the controlgrid 184 of the cathode ray tube 183. 1f information signal 180corresponding to column 2 of the synchronizing area 1791-n is sensed bysignal head 177 the cathode ray deflected by the detiection system 185has reached the electrode 1872, so that the amplified information signaldelivered to control grid 184 allows beam current to fiow to electrode1872. This produces a voltage across the load which effects via couplingcapacitor 1882 the ignition of discharge tube 1892, whereas thepreceding relay tube 1891 remains ineffective as within this column noinformation signal 180 has been sensed. After the running through of thetape through the information area synchronized by the synchronizingsignals 1791-n all those electronic relay tubes 1891-n are ignited whichcorrespond to the said columns 2, 9, 11 and so on in which informationsignals are contained to indicate 9, as this area of the tapesynchronized by the signals 1791"n is to contain all the signals for thedigit value 9.

During the sensing of the gap 173 the electronic tubes 1891`n aredeionized so that within the sub-area of the tape synchronized by thesignals 2071n those of the relay tubes 1891-n may be ionized anew whichcorrespond to information signals representing digit values 8 and so on.

FIG. 10b shows a magnetizable rotatable record means to which the sensedsignals from the synchronizing track 174 and the information track 17Smay be transferred for a repeated or cyclic use.

Such cyclically operable storage means may be a magnetizable drum 204fixed on shaft 198. The drum 204 may he driven by motor 193 via astart-stop friction clutch 194 but is normally arrested by engagement ofprojection 197 by armature 196 of the relay 195. If the relay 195 isenergized in dependence on for example starting signal 178 (FIG. 10a)via an amplifier and with the distributing means known from start-stopteletyping, the friction clutch 194 will rotate the magnetizable drum ordisc 204 for one rotation.

This friction clutch corresponds to the clutch 9 of FIG. 2. The shaft198 is used to drive the tape feeding mechanism. This shaft carries acommutator 119, which is driven through a reduction gear from the shaftcarrying the drum 204 in the manner described in detail in my copendingapplication, Serial No. 432,295, now abandoned, which also describes themanner in which the gas tribes 189 control the cncrgizatiou of the beads208 by means of a magnetically operating distributing switch.

The signals of each tape area are recorded in two parallel tracks,namely one synchronizing track and one information track via the signalhead 203s and 203111.

In FIGS. lla-1 lc is shown an arrangement for selecting a desired partof a track by comparing a preset address registration with addressesrecorded on the drum.

The sensing head of the tube 109 is arranged over the address signaltrack 124 and sensing head 121 of tube 112 over the address signal track125, sensing head 122 of tube 119 over the address signal track 126, andso on (FIG. 11b).

If tube 109 is not operative the pentode 107 is held nonconducting by alow screen voltage. whereas pentode 108 is conductive, the voltage ofthe screen grid of pentode 107 being provided by the voltage drop acrosscathode resistances 127` 128 of the tube 109, whereas the suppressorgrid of pentode 108 has the same potential as the cathode of this tubeas long as the tube 109 is not operative. As soon as the tube 109becomes operative the pentodes 107 and 108 change with respect to theiroperation, i.e. pentode 107 is conductive while pentode 108 isnonconducting, pentode 107 having received its screen grid voltage,whereas the cathode of pentode 108 has become positive with regard toits suppressor grid potential.

Switch 116 has either position a or position b depending on whether thefirst element of the address combination requires a signal (position a)or no signal (position b) position. The switch 116 may be the contact ofan electromagnetic relay or may be a manually operated switch.

Signals sensed from an information storage area by sensing head 129 willpass to the switch 116 only if tube 109 is operative, i.e. if pentode107 is conductive. In position b of the switch 116 no signaltransmission from sensing head 129 is possible in spite of pentode 107being the necessary continuity of the circuit for such sensedinformation signals being interrupted by means of said switch 116.

The various possibilities for continuity and discontinuity in the signaltransmission circuit will be understood from the diagram at the top ofFIG. lla, where in each unit of the chain of gates there are two switchelements one of which is comprised by the electronic tubes such as thetubes 107, 108, 109 in the first gate shown, and the other of whichswitch elements comprises switches 116 etc.

Beginning from the left of FIG. 11a, information signals entering eitherchain at the sensing heads 129, 130, pass the first gate of the chain ifthe electronic switch 107, 108 coincides with the selecting switch 116which has been preset (being for example in the upper position 116:1).Such coincidence takes place only during that time period of therotation of the storage when both the switches are in the upper or bothin the lower position, in the case shown, if the electronic switch is inposition 107, that is when pentode 107 is conducting in dependence onthe tube 109 being operative. The signals sensed by signal head winding129 arrive at the grids of the pentodes 110, 111 which pentodes areconnected in parallel via capacitors.

The sensing heads 129, 130 are separate windings of a single head.

Information signals sensed by the sensing heads 129, 130, after havingpassed through the chain of combination switches may be transferred toanother storage device, which may be a magnetizable storage, or a relaytube storage, or a cathode ray storage, the detiection of the cathoderay being in sychronism with the original storage in dependence orsynchronizing signals sensed from that storage or from another signalgenerator, which controls the relative movement between the storage andthe sensing means.

When a transfer to another magnetic storage is to be effected,synchronizing signals for the information signals will be taken eitherfrom the same track in the information storage, e.g. start-stop signalsor distributing pulses for one or more digit values and/or demoninationvalues, or from a separate synchronizing track the signals in which havea defined position relatively to signals in the information track.

The same switchable selection conditions obtained in each successivegate in the chain. For example, in the second gate illustrated thepentode 111 being conductive since tube 112 is not operative andcoinciding with the relay switch 117 in the lower position shown, thesignals are passed to the third gate of the chain, and so on.

With a 5-stage binary selection device there are in each cycle ofoperation 32 (25) possibilities of selecting different areas within eachtrack of the storage each area containing multicolumn information in forexample S0 100 column positions. If one fourth binary stage is added tothel selection device the number of selection possibilities would be 64(26).

For an easier understanding of the method of selection, the tube 109 isshown as a gas discharge tube with a capacitative anode load operatingso that the pentode 107 is rendered operative only for the minimumperiod between successive signals. The information signals induced insignal heads 129, 130 are always effective at a position correspondingto the middle of such an interval.

Within the second group of pentodes 110, 111 controlled by tube 112 thesame process takes place, that is, the signal transmited by signal heads129 and 130 are only further transmitted if tube 112 is nonoperative,that is when pentode 111 is open and the switch 117 is in position b.

According to FIG. 11b| the control of the alternate opening and blockingof pentodes 107, 108 is shown by way of example as a signal sequenceillustrated diagrammatically at 124. Pentode 107 is understood to beconducting during the period represented by the upper half of the track124 in each rotation and nonconducting during the period represented bythe lower half, i.e, pentode 107 is conductive during the first 180 ofone rotation, whereas during the next 180 of a rotation pentode 108 isconductive. Similarly, pentode 110 is conductive and pentode 111 isnonconductive from 0 to 90D and from 180 to 270 in each cycle of track125, whereas it is nonconducting and pentode 111 is conducting from 90to 180 and from 270o to 360 in each cycle.

This automatic opening and closing of the electronic switches duringeach cycle brings about the combination of automatically opened andblocked switches with the preset positions a and b of the switches 116,117, 118 or corresponding electronic or other relays, switching panels,keyboard contacts or the like.

To avoid too strong unamplification of the signals produced in thesensing heads 129 and 130, transmission to the control grid of the nexttube is provided by means of a tapping point of the respective anoderesistor. In the drawing, only the first two and the last of the chainof switches is shown.

There may of course be any number of selection groups in the chain.Thus, only those signals from the sensing heads 129 and 130 aretransmitted through the whole chain of selection group switches, whenthe electronic switches, in combination with the position of the presetswitches establish a continuous circuit.

In the moment at which the combination of thc switches 116, 117, 118 andso on corresponds to the sensed combination of signals the informationsignals pass from the sensing head 129 or 130 through the chain tocontrol further means, such as converters for dot and line-printers andthe like as set forth in my copending patent application Serial No.498,055 filed March 30, 1955, now Patent No. 2,982,951.

The address pattern of FIG. 12e may equally well be produced by magneticprojections from the drum surface,

or by a pattern of black and white areas suitable for sensing byphotoelectric cells instead of magnetic heads.

I claim:

1. A storage arrangement comprising, in combination, a rotatablemagnetic record medium having a plurality of tracks, said tracks havingrecorded therein different data items in sequential order, said dataitems representing selected characters, digits of words and digits ofnumbers; storage means for storing different data items; stored addressmeans for providing a stored address for selecting informations recordedon said record medium; serial readout means operative in a track of saidrecord medium for reading-out a plurality of said data items in saidtrack, said serial readout means comprising sensing means adapted tosequentially sense said data items in said track, electronicdistributing means for transferring data items sequentially sensed bysaid sensing means to determined positions of said storage means, andselectively controlled gating means for controlling the selectivetransfer of data items from said sensing means to said distributingmeans; and track selecting means for selecting sensing means foroperation in sensing a selected track by moving selected sensing meansto said selected track.

2. A storage arrangement comprising, in combination` a rotatablemagnetic record medium having a plurality of tracks, said tracks havingrecorded therein different data items in sequential order, said dataitems representing selected characters, digits of words and digits ofnumbers; storage means for storing different data items; stored addressmeans for providing a stored address for selecting informations recordedon said record medium; serial readout means operative in a track of saidrecord medium for reading-out a plurality of said data items within aselected area of said track. said serial readout means comprisingsensing means adapted to sequentially sense said data items in saidtrack, electronic distributing means for transferring data itemssequentially sensed by said sensing means to determined positions ofsaid storage means, and gating means for controlling the selectivetransfer of data items from said sensing means to said distributingmeans; comparing means for opening said gating means to permit thetransfer of data items from said sensing means to said distributingmeans upon the coincidence of elements of data items of address dataprovided by said stored address means and elements of data items sensedfrom said record medium; and track selecting means for selecting sensingmeans for operation in sensing a selected track by actuating selectedsensing means.

3. A storage arrangement comprising, in combination, a rotatablemagnetic record medium having a plurality of tracks, said tracks havingrecorded therein different data items in sequential order, said dataitems representing selected characters, digits of words and digits ofnumbers; storage means for storing different data items; stored addressmeans for providing a stored address for selecting informations recordedon said record medium; serial readout means operative in a track of saidrecord medium for reading-out a plurality of said data items within aselected area of said track, said serial readout means comprisingsensing means adapted to sequentially sense said data items in saidtrack, electronic distributing means for transferring data itemssequentially sensed `by said sensing means to determined positions ofsaid storage means, and gating means for controlling the selectivetransfer of data items from said sensing means to said distributingmeans; comparing means for opening said gating means to permit thetransfer of data items from said sensing means to said distributingmeans upon the coincidence of elements of data items of address dataprovided by said stored address means and elements of data items sensedfrom said record medium; and track selecting means for selecting sensingmeans for operation l 3 in sensing a selected track by moving selectedsensing means to said selected track.

4. A storage arrangement comprising. in combination, a rotatablemagnetic record medium having a plurality of sector portions and aplurality of parallel tracks, said tracks having recorded thereindifferent data items in sequential order. said data items representingselected characters, digits of words and digits of numbers, digits ofnumbers of the same denomination being recorded in different tracks ofthe same sector portion of said record medium; storage means for storingdifferent data items; Stored address means for providing a storedaddress for selecting informations recorded on said record medium;serial readout means operative in a track of said record medium forreading-out a plurality of said data items in said track, said serialreadout means comprising sensing means adapted to sequentially sensesaid data items in said track, electronic distributing means fortransferring data items sequentially sensed by said sensing means todetermined positions of said storage means, and selectively controlledgating means for controlling the selective transfer of data items fromsaid sensing means to said distributing means; and track selecting meansfor selecting sensing means for operation in sensing a selected track bymoving selected sensing means to said selected track.

5. A storage arrangement comprising, in combination, storage means forstoring different data items representing digits of numbers, saidstorage means comprising a plurality of Storage areas for digit valuesof different denominations, each of said storage areas having recordedtherein different digit values of the same denomination; recordingmeans; a magnetic record medium moved relatively to said recordingmeans; and sequentially operating selective switching means forsuccessively energizing said denominational areas in a manner wherebythe digit items stored in said storage means are transferred to saidrecord medium into selected positions in accordance with theirdenominational values.

6. A storage arrangement comprising` in combination, storage means forstoring different data items representing digits of numbers, Saidstorage means comprising a first group of substantially parallelconductors spaced from each other, a second group of substantiallyparallel conductors spaced from each other and positioned transverselyto said first group of conductors, a plurality of coupling means forcoupling each conductor of said first group of conductors to everyconductor of said second group of conductors, said first group ofconductors being adapted to be energized by the same digital values ofdifferent denominations and said second group of conductors beingadapted to be energized by different digital values of the samedenomination; a plurality of recording means, each of said recordingmeans being connected to a corresponding conductor of said first groupof conductors corresponding to a determined digital value; a magneticrecord medium moved relatively to said recording means: and sequentiallyoperating selective switching means having a plurality of switchingpositions each connected to a corresponding conductor of said secondgroup of conductors corresponding to a determined denomination, saidselective switching means successively assuming different switchingconditions corresponding to said switching positions in a manner wherebythe data items stored in said storage means are transferred through saidrecording means to said record medium into selected positions inaccordance with their denominational values.

7. A storage arrangement comprising, in combination, storage means forstoring different data items representing digits of numbers, saidstorage means comprising a first group of substantially parallelconductors spaced from each other, a second group of substantiallyparallel conductors spaced from each other and positioned transverselyto said first group of conductors, a plurality of coupling means forcoupling each conductor of said first group of conductors to everyconductor of said second group of conductors, said first group ofconductors being adapted to be energized by the same digital values ofdifferent denominations and Said second group of conductors beingadapted to be energized by diliercnt digital values of the samedenomination; a plurality of recording means, each of said recordingmeans being connected to a corresponding conductor of said first groupof conductors corresponding to a determined digital value; a magneticrecord medium moved relatively to said recording means; and sequentiallyoperating selective switching means having a plurality of switchingpositions each connected to a corresponding conductor of said secondgroup of condtictors corresponding to a determined denomination, saidselective switching means successively assuming different switchingconditions corresponding to said switching positions in synchronism withthe relative movement between said record medium and said recordingmeans in a manner whereby the data items stored in said storage meansare transferred through said recording means to said record medium intoselected positions in accordance with their denominational values.

8. A storage arrangement comprising, in combination, storage means forstoring different data items representing digits of numbers, saidstorage means comprising a first group of substantially parallelconductors spaced from each other, a second group of substantiallyparallel conductors spaced from each other and positioned transverselyto said first group of conductors, a plurality of coupling means forcoupling each conductor of. said first group of conductors to everyconductor of said second group of conductors, said first group ofconductors bcing adapted to be energized by the same digital values ofdifferent denominations and said second group of conductors beingadapted to be energized by different digital values of the samedenomination; a plurality of recording means, each of said recordingmeans being connected to a corresponding conductor of said first groupof conductors corresponding to a determined digital value; a magneticrecord medium moved relatively to said recording means', andsequentially operating selective switching means including a pluralityof transfer coils, each of said transfer coils being connected to acorresponding conductor of said second group of conductors correspondingto a determined denomination, said sequentially operating selectiveswitching means having a plurality of switching positions eachcorresponding to a selected one of said transfer coils, said selectiveswitching means successively assuming different switching conditionscorresponding to said switching positions in synchronism with therelative movement between said record medium and said recording means ina manner whereby the said selective switching means generates pulses insaid transfer coils in succession so that the data items stored in saidstorage means are transferred through said recording means to saidrecord medium into selected positions in accordance with theirdenominational values.

9. A signal storage arrangement comprising, in combination. a rotatablebody having a magnetizable signal storage track thereon: a magneticsensing head cooperating with said track: a signal distributor includinga signal input means and a plurality of signal output means, said signaldistributor including a plurality of pairs of coils, one coil of eachpair being connected to said signal input means and the other coil ofeach pair being connected individually to one of said signal outputmeans, said coils being relatively weakly coupled by an open magneticcircuit, said pairs of coils being equally spaced apart in arcuatearray, a magnetic member rotatable in synchronism with said rotatablebody, said magnetic member comprising a wheel with a number of equallyspaced teeth which are capable of closing in turn the magnetic circuitsof said coils as said wheel rotates, the number of teeth being one lessthan thc number of said pairs of coils whereby the coils of each pairare momentarily coupled relatively closely; a plurality of staticstorage devices; each connected respectively to one of said signaloutput means and settable by a signal furnished by such output means;means for rotating said rotatable body and said distributor insynchronisin, and means for applying electrical signals generated bysaid sensing head to the input means of said distributor, whereby saidelectrical signals are applied cyclically to said static storagedevices.

10. A storage arrangement comprising, in combination, storage means forstoring different data items representing digits of numbers, saidstorage means comprising a first group of first coils, said first groupof first coils comprising a first plurality of series circuitarrangements substantially parallel to and spaced from each other, eachof'slaid first plurality of series circuit arrangements comprising aplurality of said first coils, a second group of second coils, saidsecond group of second coils comprising a second plurality of seriescircuit arrangements substantially parallel to and spaced from cachother and positioned transversely to said first group of first coils,each of said second plurality of series circuit arrangements comprisinga plurality of said second coils, each of each first coils beingpositioned in magnetic proximity to a corresponding one of each of saidsecond coils in a manner whereby a magnetic tiux substantially greaterin intensity than the magnetic ux of one of a first coil and a secondcoil is produced by a first coil and a corresponding second coil uponsimultaneous energization of said last-mentioned first coil andcorresponding second coil, said first groups of first coils beingadapted to be energized by the same digital values of differentdenominations and said second group of second coils being adapted to beenergized by different digital values of the same denomination; aplurality of recording means; a magnetic record medium moved relativelyto said recording means; and transfer means connected between each ofsaid recording means and each of said first plurality of series circuitarrangements of said rst group of first coils, said transfer means beingadapted to transfer in timed condition pulses to said recording meansfor recording in coordinated localities of said magnetic record mediumin dependence upon the energization condition of corresponding ones ofsaid first and second coils.

11. A magnetic transducer comprising, in combination, a plurality oftransducer heads each having a core with an air gap formed therein andan operating winding wound thereon, said transducer heads beingpositioned in spaced relation to each other in a manner whereby thecores of said transducer heads are substantially parallel to each otherand the air gaps of said transducer heads are in a predeterminedrelation to each other; and a plurality of spacing means interposed withsaid transducer heads, each of said spacing means being positionedbetween adjacent ones of the cores of said transducer heads in such amanner that it maintains a predetermined separation between saidadjacent ones of said transducer heads and it maintains saidpredetermined relation between the air gaps of the said transducerheads.

12. A magnetic transducer comprising, in combination, a plurality oftransducer heads each having an integrally formed core with an air gapformed therein and an operating winding wound thereon, said transducerheads being positioned in spaced relation to each other in a mannerwhereby the cores of said transducer heads are substantially parallel toeach other and the air gaps of said transducer heads are in apredetermined relation to each other; and a plurality of spacing meansinterposed with said transducer heads, each of said spacing means beingpositioned between adjacent ones of the cores of said transducer headsin such a manner that it maintains a predetermined separation betweensaid adjacent ones of said transducer heads and it maintains saidpredetermined relation between the air gaps of the said transducerheads.

Alll

13. A magnetic transducer comprising. in combination, a plurality oftransducer heads each having a core with an air gap formed therein andan operating winding wound thereon, said transducer heads beingpositioned in spaced relation to each other in a manner whereby thecores of said transducer heads are substantially parallel to each otherand the air gaps of said transducer heads are in a predeterminedrelation to each other; and a plurality of spacing means interposed withsaid transducer heads. each of said spacing means being positionedbetween adjacent ones of the cores of said transducer heads in such amanner that it maintains a predetermined separation between saidadjacent ones of said transducer heads and it maintains saidpredetermined relation between the air gaps of the said transducerheads, said cores and said spacing means forming a substantially planarsurface common to all of said cores and said spacing means and havingsaid air gaps formed therein.

14. A magnetic transducer comprising, in combination, a plurality oftransducer heads each having a core with an air gap formed therein andan operating winding wound thereon, said transducer heads beingpositioned in spaced relation to each other in a manner whereby thecores of said transducer heads are substantially parallel to each otherand the air gaps of said transducer heads are in a predeterminedrelation to each other; and a plurality of spacing means interposed withsaid transducer heads, each of said spacing means being positionedbetween adjacent ones of the cores of said transducer heads in such amanner that it maintains a predetermined separation between saidadjacent ones of said transducer heads and it maintains saidpredetermined relation between the air gaps of the said transducerheads, said cores and said spacing means forming a substantially planarsurface common to all of said cores and said spacing means and having alongitudinally extending median line common to all of said cores andsaid spacing means and said air gaps formed in said surface in a linetransverse to said median line.

l5. A magnetic transducer comprising, in combination, a plurality oftransducer heads each having .a core with an air gap formed therein andan operating .winding wound therein, said transducer heads beingpositioned in spaced relation to each other in a manner whereby thecores of said transducer heads are substantially parallel to each otherand the air gaps of said transducer heads are in a predeterminedrelation to each other; and a plurality of spacing means interposed withsaid transducer heads, each of said spacing means being positionedbetween adjacent ones of the cores of said transducer heads in such amanner that it maintains a predetermined separation between saidadjacent ones of said transducer heads and it maintains saidpredetermined relation between the air gaps of the said transducerheads, said cores and said spacing means forming a substantially planarsurfce common to all of said cores and said spacing means and having alongitudinally extending median line common to all of said cores andsaid spacing means and said air gaps formed in said surface in saidmedian line.

16. A magnetic recording and reproduction arrangement comprising, incombination, a magnetic recording medium having a plurality of trackstherein; a plurality of transducer heads each having a core with ari airgap formed therein and an operating winding wound thereon, saidtransducer heads being positioned in operative proximity to saidmagnetic recording medium and in spaced relation to each other in amanner whereby the cores of said transducer heads are substantiallyparallel to cach other and the air gaps of said transducer heads are ina predetermincd relation to each other and to the tracks of saidmagnetic recording medium; and a plurality of spacing means interposedwith said transducer heads, each of said spacing means being positionedbetween adjacent ones of the cores of said transducer heads in such amanner that it maintains a predetermined separation between said

1. A STORAGE ARRANGEMENT COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A ROTATABLEMAGNETIC RECORD MEDIUM HAVING A PLURALITY OF TRACKS, SAID TRACKS HAVINGRECORDED THEREIN DIFFERENT DATA ITEMS IN SEQUENTIAL ORDER, SAID DATAITEMS REPRESENTING SELECTED CHARACTERS, DIGITS OF WORDS AND DIGITS OFNUMBERS; STORAGE MEANS FOR STORING DIFFERENT DATA ITEMS; STORED ADDRESSMEANS FOR PROVIDING A STORED ADDRESS FOR SELECTING INFORMATIONS RECORDEDON SAID RECORD MEDIUM; SERIAL READOUT MEANS OPERATIVE IN A TRACK OF SAIDRECORD MEDIUM FOR READING-OUT A PLURALITY OF SAID DATA ITEMS IN SAIDTRACK, SAID SERIAL READOUT MEANS COMPRISING SENSING MEANS ADAPTED TOSEQUENTIALLY SENSE SAID DATA ITEMS IN SAID TRACK, ELECTRONICDISTRIBUTING MEANS FOR TRANSFERRING MEANS ITEMS SEQUENTIALLY SENSED BYSAID SENSING MEANS TO DETERMINED POSITIONS OF SAID STORAGE MEANS, ANDSELECTIVELY CONTROLLED GATING MEANS FOR CONTROLLING THE SELECTIVETRANSFER OF DATA ITEMS FROM SAID SENSING MEANS TO SAID DISTRIBUTINGMEANS; AND TRACK SELECTING MEANS FOR SELECTING SENSING MEANS FOROPERATION IN SENSING A SELECTED TRACK BY MOVING SELECTED SENSING MEANSTO SAID SELECTED TRACK.